Tailoring Computer-Based Training for Latino Immigrant Workers: Pilot Test of the NIOSH Mouse Tutorial.

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Education Technology
• Workforce Development

Background:

• Many immigrant workers, particularly Latino immigrants in physically demanding fields like trenching and excavation, have limited computer literacy.
• Existing computer training materials may not adequately address the needs of diverse educational backgrounds and language proficiencies within this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an interactive computer mouse tutorial for first-time users.
• To assess the effectiveness of this tutorial for Latino immigrant workers with varying educational levels and Spanish language proficiency.

Main Methods:

• An interactive tutorial on mouse usage was created for a CD-ROM training program.
• The tutorial was designed for Spanish-speaking users with diverse educational backgrounds.
• Focus groups with Latino immigrant workers, including those with minimal computer experience, were conducted to test the tutorial.

Main Results:

• Users with less than a fourth-grade education or low Spanish proficiency experienced some difficulties but scored over 67% on performance evaluations.
• The majority of participants, with at least a fourth-grade education, completed the tutorial with minimal assistance and achieved scores of 80%-100%.
• Participant feedback from focus groups corroborated the performance data, indicating general usability.

Conclusions:

• Computer-based training can be effectively adapted for Latino immigrant workers with low computer literacy.
• Tailoring training content to specific user needs, including language and educational background, is crucial for accessibility and success.
• Interactive tutorials show promise as a viable method for enhancing digital skills in underserved worker populations.